Supreme Court judge calls for blended adjudication and ADR in family law disputes

At the opening of an eastern-zone conference on ADR versus adjudication in family disputes, Supreme Court Justice B V Nagarathna emphasized that alternative dispute mechanisms should complement, not replace, the courts. She argued that swift resolutions are essential but must not undermine substantive justice, especially where delays deepen familial inequities. Citing the large backlog of family cases in states such as Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Sikkim, she suggested that ADR can reduce case load and foster reconciliation when disputes lack acrimony.

The judge stressed that the choice of dispute-resolution method should depend on the case’s nature and that a blended framework is still needed. She expressed hope that the conference would generate actionable recommendations to integrate ADR with traditional adjudication effectively.